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NHS care, including knee and hip operations, 'rationed' | NHS care, including knee and hip operations, 'rationed' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News | By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News |
Access to NHS care, including knee and hip operations, is being restricted, data from trusts suggest. | Access to NHS care, including knee and hip operations, is being restricted, data from trusts suggest. |
The evidence - gathered under the Freedom of Information Act by GP magazine - showed nine in 10 trusts in England were imposing restrictions. | The evidence - gathered under the Freedom of Information Act by GP magazine - showed nine in 10 trusts in England were imposing restrictions. |
The trend was blamed on cost-cutting by some, leaving the government to say there was no justification for it. | The trend was blamed on cost-cutting by some, leaving the government to say there was no justification for it. |
But managers defended the practice, saying there were instances when care had to be prioritised. | But managers defended the practice, saying there were instances when care had to be prioritised. |
The magazine received responses from two-thirds of the 151 trusts about the procedures they considered to be non-urgent. | The magazine received responses from two-thirds of the 151 trusts about the procedures they considered to be non-urgent. |
The most common restriction was on tonsillectomies with 89% of areas imposing restrictions. | The most common restriction was on tonsillectomies with 89% of areas imposing restrictions. |
This in itself is not that controversial as many argue the NHS is better to concentrate its resources in most cases on other, more serious conditions. | This in itself is not that controversial as many argue the NHS is better to concentrate its resources in most cases on other, more serious conditions. |
But the research also found evidence of rationing in other areas. | But the research also found evidence of rationing in other areas. |
Limits on cataract surgery were in place in 66% of trusts, while over half of areas were rationing weight-loss surgery and hip and knee operations. | Limits on cataract surgery were in place in 66% of trusts, while over half of areas were rationing weight-loss surgery and hip and knee operations. |
Another survey published by Labour found similar patterns, prompting criticism from patient groups. | Another survey published by Labour found similar patterns, prompting criticism from patient groups. |
Clara Eaglen, of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said: "People should not have to live with a reduced quality of life simply because PCTs are using arbitrary criteria to determine whether they get to keep their sight." | Clara Eaglen, of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said: "People should not have to live with a reduced quality of life simply because PCTs are using arbitrary criteria to determine whether they get to keep their sight." |
Dr Richard Vautrey, of the British Medical Association, added: "Patients need to be treated fairly and we need consistency. | Dr Richard Vautrey, of the British Medical Association, added: "Patients need to be treated fairly and we need consistency. |
"The reality is that this is simply a cost-saving exercise." | "The reality is that this is simply a cost-saving exercise." |
Health minister Simon Burns described such practices as "unacceptable". | Health minister Simon Burns described such practices as "unacceptable". |
"If local health bodies stop patients from having treatments on the basis of cost alone we will take action against them." | "If local health bodies stop patients from having treatments on the basis of cost alone we will take action against them." |
But David Stout, of the NHS Confederation, which represents PCTs, said there was sometimes justifiable reasons for rationing. | But David Stout, of the NHS Confederation, which represents PCTs, said there was sometimes justifiable reasons for rationing. |
He said while arbitrary restrictions should not be put in place, trusts had to prioritise care in the current environment. | He said while arbitrary restrictions should not be put in place, trusts had to prioritise care in the current environment. |
"The NHS faces considerable financial pressures and scarce resources have to be used as effectively as possible." | "The NHS faces considerable financial pressures and scarce resources have to be used as effectively as possible." |
Do you feel you have waited a long time for cataracts surgery, a tonsillectomy or a hip or knee operation on the NHS? Get in touch using the form below. |